The San Fransisco 49ers could be getting a massive defensive piece back from injury as Fred Warner works his way back onto the field.
The San Francisco 49ers took an important step this week by opening Fred Warner’s practice window, allowing the All-Pro linebacker to rejoin the team on the field as he continues his recovery from a dislocated and fractured ankle.
While the move signaled progress, head coach Kyle Shanahan quickly tempered expectations. Warner is not expected to return this week, with the organization continuing to view a potential NFC Championship Game appearance as the earliest realistic target for his comeback.
That timeline aligns with how the 49ers have handled Warner’s rehab all along. The decision, Shanahan emphasized, will ultimately come down to medical clearance rather than competitive urgency, even if Warner himself feels ready to go.
“If it were just up to me, I’d be out there this weekend,” Warner said recently on The Ryen Russillo Show. “But there’s some T’s that gotta be crossed, I’s that gotta be dotted. I’m pushing. I’m training hard. I’m back doing full football drills and everything. Time will tell.”
Even without a game day return imminent, Warner’s presence has already made an impact inside the building. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh noted that simply having Warner back on the field, even in a limited capacity, has injected life into practices.
“Just pure energy,” Saleh said of Warner’s return. “Fred’s the ultimate energy giver. Having him out there is awesome. Yesterday was lower tempo, but with higher tempo days coming, it’s fun to see him moving around again.”
That energy hasn’t gone unnoticed by teammates on either side of the ball. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson said Warner’s return has added an extra spark, even before he’s cleared to play.
“You can definitely feel his presence,” Robinson said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “He’s always been a guy who brings energy, whether it’s on the sideline or in the locker room. But seeing him back out there, moving around at practice, it feels good. It lifts everybody.”
Defensive tackle Kalia Davis described a similar feeling, saying Warner’s return was noticeable before he even realized what he was seeing.
“I didn’t even see him at first, but I felt something,” Davis said, also via NBC Sports Bay Area. “I felt some aura. Then I looked back and thought, ‘Hold on—he’s got a jersey on?’ It’s definitely uplifting.”
For now, Warner’s role will remain limited to walkthroughs and controlled work as the 49ers continue to prioritize his long term health. He may not be ready to suit up just yet, but Fred Warner is already back doing what he does best by setting the standard and energizing everyone around him.